Swiftcurrent Creek I ain't happy; I'm feeling glad.

@Keith @Mazatl

He still did not know the boy's name, calling him names from băiat dulce to scumpul meu to even sclav at times, but he was nothing more than cordial to him through their wanderings. He pulled the boy away from the coast, deeper inland, away from the harsh winds and waves. To where, he did not know. How far this land stretched before the air changed, he was uncertain. He asked the boy again and again if he had ties here, any knowledge of the land around them as they pressed further inland.

He pulled him past the marsh, knowing that the cold, wet ground would bring nothing but ruin to his băiat dulce. He did not need him sick, for it would doom them both.

They sheltered near a creek, the water cold and almost frozen solid. He made no noise as he slipped away, determined to find some prey for the both of them, not caring if the băiat followed.

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From the yearling there had come not a single protest whilst being led away from the coast. Never had he been a coastal wolf, and never would he since the sea had often made him feel uneasy. He knew so little of it, having never been taught about what it housed or what made it so dangerous, and so he feared it. At times, he’d found himself happy to have decided to give himself over to a man, for the results had outweighed any downside he’d considered. Still, whilst grateful and developing an attachment, he’d not said a single word. There was nothing wrong with him, no ailments that prohibited the formation of sounds and words, he simply refused to speak. By using his voice in the past he’d made himself a target for punishments, many of which had been scarring enough to prevent him from ever speaking out of turn again. Only on very special occasions had the usage of his voice been encouraged, and so, until said occasion arose once again, no amount of questioning would result in verbal answers being given.

When they’d settled down somewhere unfamiliar to him, Mazatl had taken his time with quenching his thirst. Afterwards, he’d laid down, only to have then pushed himself right back up to his feet no more than a second or two later. Athanasius' departure, though quiet, had not been unnoticed. Unable to be left completely alone at any given time, the boy had followed after him, just as silent as always.

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He wasted no time in stupid planning. A straight line was the fastest way to get where he wanted to go, and only on feeding occasions did the winter prince veer away from his path. The creek, for however cold it was, did not change the facts. It had gotten in his way for the first time that morning, and again in the afternoon as the flow made an odd curve back around. Like a tank he crossed the stream, splashing impressive amounts of water while battle drums seemed to mark his rhythmic and determined march. And the deer caught his eye, and the hunger started to become apparent. It wasn't like he didn't know that the deer was not in fact a deer and instead it was totally a wolf, but Bane simply did not care to differentiate when it came down to hunger. He'd eaten wolf flesh before, and today the looks of the slave made it only easy for him to decide to try and catch an easy meal. Stalking was no longer an option, for he'd made quite a show by rampaging the creek, so the winter beast threw himself to the chase, not even stopping to shake his damp pelt beforehand.

His ear cupped back to catch the sound of the boy tepidly following. His head turned to catch the slender visage in his sight, a small shadow of a smile crossing his face. He paused briefly in his tracks, allowing himself to sidle up to him, running his nose through the boy's fur just under his ear. There is prey scent all over; mayhaps we can catch some, 

The land here was unfamiliar and vast, and despite his confident stride, his eyes and ears were everywhere, his nose and tongue tasting as much of the air as they could. While they were two, his băiat was frail, so easily giving himself to him. No, he would be the defender. The băiat would follow and serve, as he had, as he would so long as they were together.

It was not prey that stilled him, but the thundering paws of a wolf. Athan stiffened, amethyst optics flaring as if illuminated by some internal source. The pale creature was close by the time he spotted him, but Athan was more than ready. He barred the way between the charging Arctic wolf and his băiat, fangs bared in defiance and rage, ready to lunge out and feast on this brute.

As quickly as Bane had locked his target, a wall of wolf came across him to hinder his advance. With bared fangs and defensive stance, the black-spined beast was enough of a sight for Bane to hold back and stand right in front of him, mimicking his posture and expression, knowing better than to ignore his warning. Bane had come back to a more savage state of his life, where rationalizing was hardly a priority... But the Bane that had left Blackfeather Woods was not the same that had entered, and a little strategy was never off the table for the assassin.

"Dindn't see you there," said the arctic brute in a coarse, yet measured voice, eyeing the weaker creature carefully. He could still feel his mouth watering at the unfulfilled prospect of devouring the boy, but he knew that was now impossible without taking his protector down first, which was bound to be a fair match.

It had been a long time since he had met another of his kind, but the strigoi knew that this wolf was not one, despite his hungry silver eyes. He was merely a starving wolf brought to the brink of taboo, of cannibalism. Rationale finally reached his mind with Athan's presence, but the strigoi did not easily forgive the charge. He kept between the pale wolf and his băiat constantly, his eyes still hard as stone. 

I suggest you give up your pursuit of him, He snarled levelly, noting his continued stolen glances towards Mazatl. He is mine.

"Mine", had claimed the amethyst eyed brute, and Bane smiled coyly for a second. He hadn't connected the dots up to that moment, but now it all made sense. Not unlike Bane himself, this guy had the same thing in mind for the boy, only he was saving the good part for later... Bane chuckled, seeing things his way.

"Alright, big guy... He's all yours," agreed the arctic beast, raising his head as he decided that the little meat this scrawny wolf could offer was not worth the struggle. There were easier ways to get food, but sadly it often involved more than one wolf for it to work. Pale eyes stare for a bit longer, evaluating his company with cold, judging eyes. "Perhaps it'll be easier to keep him safe if you take him off the open fields," he suggested, pointing at the mountains where there was bound to be actual shelter. "Winter is coming," he added as if suggesting that he'd brought it down south with him.

Permission granted to PP Mazatl

His eyes harden at the pale astuteness of the Arctic wolf, watching every emotion that flickered through his face. Behind him he could feel Mazatl, his baietel, curling up against him, hunkering away from the larger white wolf. He resists the urge to turn his back on the wolf and comfort him, focusing on the eventual relaxing of the pale wolf's muscles. Once he feels safe, the strigoi wraps his body around Mazatl as best he could, placing his chin on top of the brown, deer-like wolf's head, amethyst eyes narrowed at the other hunter.

I was already planning on moving him there, He gently licks Mazatl's fur absentmindedly between sentences. We were detouring to hunt when you barged in, He adds a gentle snarl to the end of his words, further emphasizing his distrust of the other male. His ears perked slightly at the male's words, and he inclines his head towards him. Winter is already here, He states plainly.

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And as easily as that Bane had given himself a chance to appeal to the other's good side. His prior intentions would not be forgotten, Bane knew. It was clear in the way he was observed, yet he wasn't enough of a fool to believe it would ever be any other way. But he'd gotten himself a new start, and a way to gather strength from crossing paths with the strange duo.

I'm sure I can help with that... he suggests with an out-of-script smile, leaving aside his desire for the boy's flesh in change for a new promising activity. Hunting, he hadn't done it in days, and while on his own he hadn't been lucky enough to get himself sufficient food. Scavenging, although he despised it, had been Bane's main sustenance for the past weeks of travel. Lets get ourselves a feast, shall we? he barks, turning to face the expanse, in which he was sure they would find abundance of prey even in the middle of winter.

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@Mazatl 's head was still tucked under Athan's chest as the wolf spoke. His eyes remained narrowed even as the man shifted focus. An attempted attack on his baietel was not to be so lightly put aside and ignored. No, Athanasius did not so easily accept and forgive the white wolf. And what makes you think that I will so easily let you hunt with us? He asked pointedly. Though he knows that the larger white wolf would be a much better hunting partner that Mazatl, he still cannot so simply allow him to join them. I do not know your name,

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Ever since the alabaster male had appeared, the boy's heart hadn't stopped racing. No amount of comfort provided by his master had been able to ease his mind, for his thoughts continuously drifted back to just how dangerous of a situation he was in. For how much longer would the man keep himself controlled, before not even Athan's threats could subdue him? Not knowing, he was struck with a strong desire to turn tail and flee, to go into hiding until the coast was clear. Yet, rather than doing so, he'd kept himself tucked away beneath the chin of his guardian, wanting to trust that he'd be kept out of harm's way. Although, despite his wishes, he could not shake his unease entirely. And, just as his namesake might do, Mazatl kept his wide-eyed gaze on the northerner at all times, distrustful.

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Despite what the currently light-hearted Bane believed, Athan did not seem too want to allow Bane to join them just yet. He sighed, stopping his advance before it even started to turn his glare to Athan once again. "Bane, a pleasure... he said somewhat reluctantly, "tell me, how do you expect to survive the long winter all on your own??" he asked looking at Athan with the purest are-you-serious expression you could ever  find as if truly asking the other male to show him how much of a failure his attempt at it would be. "You two look like you could use the help... And to be honest it would come in handy to me as well," he finished, laying out the cards and giving the male his chance to do what was best for all of them. If he chose to go his way Bane was confident in his ability to find a way to get through the cold nights. He was a survivor, and Arctic beast.

Bane. As for the word that meant a cause of great distress. Athan wished he could laugh at the irony of it, but he was too grim now to even chuckle. Athanasius, He responds, hissing his chosen name. He does not give Mazatl's name, for he still has not procured it, despite the deer-like boy's gradual warmth for him. He said nothing at all, but instead spoke with those beautiful, large eyes of his. And now they were locked on Bane, fearful. Athan kisses in between his ears in comfort, but it is all he can give him.

He does have to admit that their pickings, without another hunter assisting them, were slim. Mazatl was too fragile and dependent on Athan to hunt. From what Athan could gather, he was used to being served, to being pampered. It was up to Athan to hunt for the both of them, often turning to Mazatl's graceful limbs for drinks of blood to spur him on. But it was not enough for winter, he had to admit. Begrudgingly, Athan accepted, but not without terms. If we hunt together, you will not touch him physically without my express permission, He snarled lowly. You will not be left alone with him under any circumstances, or I will tear your throat out, His prominent and sharp fangs bared, his threat more than serious. Are we clear?

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It seemed as if a deal was in the process of being made, thus resulting in the boy looking towards his master with obvious skepticism. Mazatl did not doubt the man’s ability to protect him, but still felt an increasing mass of dread in the pit of his stomach whilst thinking about traveling with the northerner. His upbringing had consisted of learning all of the ways to stay away from danger, not dive right into it—he was uncomfortable, and understandably so. The fact that three would be better than two hadn’t managed to distract him, nor had Athan’s threat. With a lowered head and flattened ears, he sought to drive his muzzle through the fur of the elder male’s side, a low whine pushing passed his lips at the same time.

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Fade and start a new one?

Bane was not one to shy away from a threat, but although he still felt a certain desire for the boy's flesh he agreed to Athan's terms with a snarky smile "Crystal," he said, shooting a last glance at the fawn wolf with malice, and turned once more to lead the hunt he so desperately wanted and knew Athan and his boy needed.

Bane understood in his new alliance, and although for now it was but a temporary contract the pale revenant saw in it a chance, a first step to return to the living with full strength to get what he wanted.